The best of the Americas over two floors of this grade II listed building in the heart of Covent Garden and overlooking Waterloo Bridge. Lobsters (flown in daily from New England), oysters and steaks are among the classic choices. There's also a good range of Southern and Central American dishes like quesadillas and blackened paprika salmon with sour cream. This is a longstanding favourite, always busy but the staff are attentive and the cooking is excellent. Make like James Bond and sip a dirty martini at the ground floor Martini Bar - or enrol on a Martini Masterclass to perfect the shaken not stirred technique.

The best of the Americas over two floors of this grade II listed building in the heart of Covent Garden and overlooking Waterloo Bridge. Lobsters (flown in daily from New England), oysters and steaks are among the classic choices..
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The second branch of Angela Hartnett's Cafe Murano, her highly successful yet more casual sibling to Murano, is an inexpensive trattoria that has proved to be a huge hit with diners in St James's since opening in 2013. With room for 140 diners, the Covent Garden restaurant specialises in northern Italian food with a menu much like the first Cafe Murano in St James's, but whereas at the original restaurant there was a focus on the recipes found in inland regions - Tuscan, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardia - the Covent Garden menu looks to the coastal areas of Venezia and Liguria. Apart from having its own menu and wine list, Cafe Murano Tavistock Street also includes a shop next door, selling fresh pasta and sauces, as well as Italian wines.

The second branch of Angela Hartnett's Cafe Murano, her highly successful yet more casual sibling to Murano, is an inexpensive trattoria that has proved to be a huge hit with diners in St James's since opening in 2013. With room ..
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Champagne and cheese make the perfect pairing at shop-cum-bistro, Champagne + Fromage. Secreted away on Wellington Street in Covent Garden, Champagne + Fromage is Gallic at its most gorgeous: displays of Champagne, cheese and charcuterie make for a chic centerpiece, whilst mismatched furniture and reclaimed materials add a stamp of authentic French flair. A variety of 25 award-winning grower Champagnes sourced from only the smallest, most independent producers are available to enjoy in the bistro alongside plates of rustic French fare. Menu highlights include the tartines - a single slice of homemade bread draped in slivers of cheese, charcuterie or fruit and drizzled with rich olive oil. Frogs' legs and snails also make an appearance, alongside cheese and charcuterie boards and a selection of temping desserts.

Champagne and cheese make the perfect pairing at shop-cum-bistro, Champagne + Fromage. Secreted away on Wellington Street in Covent Garden, Champagne + Fromage is Gallic at its most gorgeous: displays of Champagne, cheese and cha..
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On the mezzanine level above the buzzing Lobby Bar, Indigo Restaurant is one of two restaurants within the fabulous five star One Aldwych. A relaxed, informal restaurant with wonderful panoramic views of London, the menu is Modern European. Typical dishes on the frequently changing menu include Thai beef salad, whole grilled plaice, and beef bourguignon served with creamy mashed potatoes. Leave room for dessert and finish with sweet sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream, or custard tart with roasted figs and honey ice cream. Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the central London location - a short from more than a dozen celebrated theatres as well as the world famous Royal Opera House - makes it a top choice for a pre or post theatre dinner. It's also casual enough to encourage Sunday brunch followed by a leisurely reading of the Sunday papers.

On the mezzanine level above the buzzing Lobby Bar, Indigo Restaurant is one of two restaurants within the fabulous five star One Aldwych. A relaxed, informal restaurant with wonderful panoramic views of London, the menu is Moder..
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Swanky hotel One Aldwych takes inspiration from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for a fun and fancy afternoon tea. With every item reflecting the classic tale, the playful menu starts off with a series of finger sandwiches filled with cucumber and smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise and watercress, and Coronation chicken while further savoury options include a vegetable Wellington and a leek, walnut and Montgomery cheddar quiche. However, it's when diners get to the sweet treats that the storybook adventure really begins. From a golden chocolate egg filled with vanilla cheesecake to lemon and white chocolate cake pops, it's all reminiscent of Willy Wonka's factory. Further items include Eton mess, homemade candy floss, blueberry brioche and a cocoa bean financier while warm scones come with berry jam, apple and meadowsweet compote, and Devonshire clotted cream. Choose from a selection of teas or make it a boozy affair with a glass of champagne or a Cocktail Charlie, made with whisky, cherry liqueur, chocolate bitters and grapefruit juice.

Swanky hotel One Aldwych takes inspiration from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for a fun and fancy afternoon tea. With every item reflecting the classic tale, the playful menu starts off with a series of finge..
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Homage is located in one of the stately ballrooms of the Waldorf Hilton right next to Covent Garden. As you might expect, it is a prestige restaurant which has set itself very high standards in the preparation and service of Mediterranean cuisine, although the prices are surprisingly reasonable (with a few honourable exceptions including side dishes). My companion for the evening was suitably impressed by the old world beauty of the setting and the immaculate manners of the waiting staff, although we did find it a little quiet. Perhaps this place is more suited to a quiet dinner with a wealthy aunt than a raucous reunion with an old friend. Anyway, it's very swish. The food more than matched the setting. I actually stole my friend's wild mushroom brioche, inventively presented and creamily delicious. My tomato and mozzarella salad spoke of superior ingredients but wasn't as much fun. For our mains, a grilled Dover Sole was excellent, full of flavour and slightly crunchy, though my friend reckoned the boning was 'a bit dodgy'. My fillet steak was absolutely superb, and accompanied by some bursting garlic mushrooms and lovely buttery spinach. Chocolate fondant poured out delicious aromas and a vast creme brulee was devoured in minutes. Homage isn't the best Francophile restaurant in the West End, but it looks lovely and delivers a thoroughly satisfying meal for a price that won't ruin you. Well worth a visit.

Homage is located in one of the stately ballrooms of the Waldorf Hilton right next to Covent Garden. As you might expect, it is a prestige restaurant which has set itself very high standards in the preparation and service of Medi..
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Set just 50 yards back from the Piazza, Boulevard Brasserie is one of the area's iconic fixtures. Serving great food since 1991, this grande dame of brasseries is the perfect place to soak up Covent Garden's unique and vibrant atmosphere. Set over two intimate floors, the decor reflects a true sense of Parisian style. Its continuing success and location ensures a bustling venue that attracts not just theatre goers but also draws a diverse crowd of locals, tourists and business people. Whether you come to dine on your own, with colleagues, friends or loved ones, there is always a warm welcome for you.

Set just 50 yards back from the Piazza, Boulevard Brasserie is one of the area's iconic fixtures. Serving great food since 1991, this grande dame of brasseries is the perfect place to soak up Covent Garden's unique and vibrant ..
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Celebrate National Steak House Month with a juicy 950gr Scottish Rib-eye for two, served with king prawns, creamed spinach and a parmesan truffle chips. Refresh your palette with a bottle of Cannonball Chardonnay or Cabarnet Sauvignon to share. Â£90 for two people.

Available lunch Mon-Fri until 17 January 2018, subject to availability. Dishes from a set menu & subject to change. Includes VAT, excludes service. Please select from starter & main or main & dessert Champagne can be enjoyed with meal, or in Radio Rooftop bar afterwards

Available dinner Mon-Fri until 30 December 2017, subject to availability. Dishes from a set menu & subject to change. Includes VAT, excludes service. Please select from starter & main or main & dessert Champagne can be enjoyed with meal, or in Radio Rooftop bar afterwards.

Steak is the main attraction at STK , an American import which has already seen success in New York and now comes to the Foster + Partners designed ME Hotel in London. With its celebrity clientele and glamourous decor, STK is "a restaurant for those who like their steak with a side of party" (The Independent). The modern steakhouse combines hand-selected, hand-cut beef with a chic bar/lounge and DJs spinning the tunes - the bar is central to the STK experience and there's a wide selection of beers, wines and an eclectic list of cocktails. To go with your steak there are indulgent toppings such as grilled lobster tail and black truffle as well as tempting sides like mac & cheese, deep fried stuffing balls and parmesan truffle chips. Aside from steak, diners can choose from salt marsh lamb, coconut fried halibut, honey roast duck, tuna tataki and swordfish ceviche. Located in the heart of theatreland, the restaurant also offers a reasonably priced pre-theatre menu. For just £30, diners can feast on Japanese wagyu mini burgers, seasonal salad or swordfish ceviche to start; roast black leg chicken, crispy seabass or 28-day aged USDA prime rump steak (£5 supplement) for mains; and sticky toffee pudding served with vanilla ice ream and salted malt caramel or mango cream with passion fruit sorbet and mango caviar for pudding. Unlike many other pre-theatre menus, this offering is much more than an essential food stop before your evening really begins and will instead ensure your meal out is just as special as the evening show.

Like The Ivy, Joe Allen is a restaurant that defies criticism. It has been a theatreland favourite since the times when dishes like Chilli Con Carne, Vegetable Lasagne and Chopped Chicken Liver were fashionable. The cosy, buzzy atmosphere attracts West End stars on an almost daily basis, air-kissing across the room at old friends, flirting with the staff - mostly 'resting' actors - and getting charmingly sloshed as only the finest luvvies can. Stick to the simpler items on the menu, and you can eat very well. Aim for the more elaborate offerings and you may feel like you have been mugged. But you haven't really come here for the food. The main thing is to choose a seat where you can watch the comings and goings without having to crane your neck too far. NOTE: Joe Allen moved to its new home on Burleigh Street in August 2017, making way for The Wellington Hotel.

Like The Ivy, Joe Allen is a restaurant that defies criticism. It has been a theatreland favourite since the times when dishes like Chilli Con Carne, Vegetable Lasagne and Chopped Chicken Liver were fashionable. The cosy, buzzy a..
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Located 10 floors above the Strand and Aldwych in the heart of Covent Garden, Radio is the stunning rooftop bar of the ME hotel designed by Foster and Partners, with an outdoor terrace giving "an almost voyeuristic sightline" (The Telegraph) into the Somerset House quadrangle and an end-on take on the London Eye. Sun-drenched by day and a true hot spot by night, it's one of London's hippest bars-with-a-view. Sip on cocktails while surrounded by spectacular London scenery from Tower Hill to Battersea Power Station, including sights of the City, Tower Bridge, the Shard, London Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern, Southbank, Houses of Parliament, and the theatre district of Covent Garden. Listen to the DJ spun tunes while soaking in the wonderful views, or unwind VIP-style in private cabanas and plush couches. The ME hotel is the first flagship hotel in which everything inside and out, from the shell of the building to the bathroom fittings, has been designed by Foster and Partners, and the rooftop Radio bar is its crowning glory.

Located 10 floors above the Strand and Aldwych in the heart of Covent Garden, Radio is the stunning rooftop bar of the ME hotel designed by Foster and Partners, with an outdoor terrace giving "an almost voyeuristic sightline" (Th..
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Fifteen years on from the launch of his New York Parisian-style brasserie Keith McNally returned home with a London branch of Balthazar, sharing the old Theatre Museum with the London Film Museum. McNally is an English ex-pat who has built an empire of stylish brasseries in New York - Minetta Tavern, Pastis, and Balthazar among them - which appeal to locals, A-list celebrities and tourists alike. Given his huge success in the States, the opening of his first London restaurant had the critics salivating in anticipation and Balthazar doesn't disappoint. The restaurant serves French classics such as bouillabaisse and cote de boeuf and there's a bakery serving cakes, quiches and pastries next door. Interiors are faded glamour, shabby but chic - right down to the toilets (a notable feature of the Manhattan restaurant), and service is slick with a high turnover of tables. Afternoon tea is a speciality - head pastry chef Regis Beauregard spent over a decade specialising in the subject at The Ritz - with platters of cucumber, smoked salmon and egg mayonnaise sandwiches alongside freshly-baked scones, tarts and pastries accompanied by Postcard Teas, herbal infusions and, ooh la la!, Champagne.

Fifteen years on from the launch of his New York Parisian-style brasserie Keith McNally returned home with a London branch of Balthazar, sharing the old Theatre Museum with the London Film Museum. McNally is an English ex-pat who..
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Contemporary design blends with traditional cuisine in this hotel restaurant in the West End. Choose from an extensive cold buffet featuring an assortment of seafood, asparagus, home-made terrines, quiches and salads, and feast on succulent cuts from a selection of roast meats.

Contemporary design blends with traditional cuisine in this hotel restaurant in the West End. Choose from an extensive cold buffet featuring an assortment of seafood, asparagus, home-made terrines, quiches and salads, and feast o..
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If you're brave enough to stomach the crowds of Covent Garden and you fancy a bite then there are worse places to go than Tuttons. Popular with the pre Theatre and Opera crowd, Tuttons has re-opened after major refurbishment, offering Modern European Cuisine under the stewardship of a chef who used to work alongside the famed Tom Aikens. Eating outside gives diners the chance to look out over Covent Garden's historic Piazza and gaze up to the Royal Opera House. Inside, Tuttons has a minimalist décor with plenty of eating space and possibilities for private dining functions. The service is known to be snappy and attentive while the brasserie-style cooking is tasty and good value for money. Breakfast, lunch and dinner available.

If you're brave enough to stomach the crowds of Covent Garden and you fancy a bite then there are worse places to go than Tuttons. Popular with the pre Theatre and Opera crowd, Tuttons has re-opened after major refurbishment, off..
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Ornate, opera-themed Turkish restaurant with unique opera-box style seating.
One of Theatreland’s favourite restaurants, Sarastro must also rank highly as one of the capital’s most surreal eateries. Taking its theme from its proximity to the Royal Opera House and a host of other performance spaces, inside this is a homage to all things operatic. Customers can dine in one of ten elegant opera boxes perched high up in the ceiling (or ‘dress circle’) and accessed by winding staircases or sit in small booths (‘stall seats’) nestled underneath. Decorated in varying styles, from Gothic to Rococo, Ottoman to Byzantine, the main draw is the Royal Box in pride of place right at the end. Not by any means a large space, the owners have successfully made use of every available inch and crammed in tables on every different level. As a result it feels bustling and busy but - thanks to the booths and boxes - cosy and intimate at the same time. Rich reds, golds and purples promote a luxurious, ornate, Quality Street kind of indulgence to the setting, while an unusual assortment of theatrical props dangle from corners and crevices fighting for space among the velvet curtains, chandeliers and wall murals. Head for the toilets at any point during your meal and you’ll be greeted with a decidedly exotic continuation of the wall murals. Bordering on the pornographic, the toilets feature “art work” that might make you gasp or at least wash your hands a couple of times more than usual. On Sunday evenings singing waiters take to the floor with excerpts from operatic classics, helping diners digest dishes from the Turkish menu. The food is a little bland, but perfectly reasonable. Book yourself into the Royal Box, order a bottle of wine (or two), then sit back and watch the show.
Best for:
Booths and boxes, opera and ornaments and naughty pics in the toilets.
Did you know?
Sarastro is a character in Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'.

Ornate, opera-themed Turkish restaurant with unique opera-box style seating.
One of Theatreland’s favourite restaurants, Sarastro must also rank highly as one of the capital’s most surreal eateries. Taking its theme from its ..
more

Delivering delicious American inspired flavours Smollensky's on the Strand is a long standing West End favourite. The cosmopolitan dining room features a split level space hosting both a full cocktail bar on one side and a large restaurant space capable of seating 250 guests on the other. Serving a refined selection of dishes there is something on the menu for all to enjoy. Although mostly known for its hearty steaks and burgers, Smollensky's also boost's its tasty lighter bar bites and carefully crafted signature dishes including the Cajun Jambalaya with boiled Crayfish and a Creole spiced sauce. The bar serves a stellar selection of drinks, including expertly created cocktails, mock tail's and a wide range of fine wines. Smollensky's is a family-friendly restaurant with children allowed in the venue till 9pm. Located just a few minutes' walk from Covent Garden, Charring Cross and Temple tube stations Smollensky's is easily accessible and has something for everyone!

Delivering delicious American inspired flavours Smollensky's on the Strand is a long standing West End favourite. The cosmopolitan dining room features a split level space hosting both a full cocktail bar on one side and a large ..
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Bella Italia on Wellington Street is found in the heart of Covent Garden, just minutes from The Strand and the London Transport Museum.
Ideal for pre-theatre dinners, this Wellington Street branch of the ever popular Bella Italia chain of Italian restaurants is just minutes away from a handful of the capital's major theatres.
Enjoy the well priced set menu or choose from the wide and varied a la carte menu. Whichever, you are sure to find some delicious food such as the Spaghetti Gamberi (spaghetti with prawns, Italian tomato sauce and a skewer of king prawns) or the Pollo Cacciatore (baked chicken breast with mozzarella, smoky bacon and tomato sauce and roasted vegetables and new potatoes or salad and fries.

Bella Italia on Wellington Street is found in the heart of Covent Garden, just minutes from The Strand and the London Transport Museum.
Ideal for pre-theatre dinners, this Wellington Street branch of the ever popular Bella Ital..
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Simpson's in the Strand is an excellent choice for "high-class comfort food", so says The Telegraph, whose well-heeled readers will feel perfectly at home in these grand surroundings. Established in 1828, it is renowned for its great British roasts, carved at the table from magnificent silver-domed wagons. With its oak panelling, leather and lofty ceilings, this famous establishment has all the atmosphere of a private club. As well as speciality aged Scottish beef and other roasts the menu offers a wide range of classical dishes including potted shrimps, roast saddle of lamb and steak and kidney pie. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the ground floor restaurant while the Knight's Bar, an art deco cocktail lounge on the first floor, is the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or after-dinner aperitif.

Simpson's in the Strand is an excellent choice for "high-class comfort food", so says The Telegraph, whose well-heeled readers will feel perfectly at home in these grand surroundings. Established in 1828, it is renowned for i..
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Moored on the Thames close to the city's most famous landmarks, The Yacht London has earned its exclusive status as 'Mayfair of the river'. Crisp cosmopolitan design features expanses of brushed silver, whilst glass surroundings offer uninterrupted views across the water.
The Yacht, originally the St Katharine, 130ft in length with a 26ft beam, was commissioned by the Port of London Authority in 1927 from Philip and Son Ltd of Dartmouth for the princely sum of Â£21,512. She was employed on survey and inspection work until the outbreak of war in 1939 when she was taken over by the Admiralty. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the Yacht in 1949 and then again 10 years later. Sir Winston Churchill smoked one of his famous cigars of the stern of the top deck, the site of our new Martell Cigar Lounge. In 1971 the St Katharine was sold to Robins (Marine) Ltd to be used as a floating restaurant and she has now been carefully restored in close consultation with English Heritage and PLA Archivists to bring her back to her former glory, retaining many original features of the Art Deco era with a twist of contemporary design.

Moored on the Thames close to the city's most famous landmarks, The Yacht London has earned its exclusive status as 'Mayfair of the river'. Crisp cosmopolitan design features expanses of brushed silver, whilst glass surroundings ..
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It’s unlikely that Salieri confessed to Mozart’s murder on his deathbed, but there’s little doubt that the composer spent his life in the shadow of the great Austrian.
This restaurant is certainly more showy than the mild-mannered Veronese with its themed décor – playing on its location in the heart of London’s Theatreland. Pass through the entrance, replete with authentic stage curtain, and inside the vibrant interior is festooned with theatre memorabilia, photos and puppets. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, some prefer something a bit more sedate with their meal, but it’s undoubtedly a talking point.
The eclectic modern European menu dips shallowly into the cuisine of a variety of countries, reserving a few berths for timeless classics like fish and chips, chateaubriand and fish soup. Nothing grabs you by the collar, but this is all well executed stuff.
Granted there are far more expensive restaurants in London serving far superior versions of this MOR menu, but Salieri (like its namesake) provides dependable competently accomplished cuisine.

It’s unlikely that Salieri confessed to Mozart’s murder on his deathbed, but there’s little doubt that the composer spent his life in the shadow of the great Austrian.
This restaurant is certainly more showy than the mild-man..
more